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Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, DMK MP Kanimozhi, leading an all-party parliamentary delegation to Moscow, issued a firm message to the international community, stating that “no country should be harbouring and supporting terrorists.” Her remarks came after a series of high-level engagements with Russian officials and strategic experts, where the delegation sought support in India’s global campaign against terrorism.

At a press briefing in Moscow, Kanimozhi said, “We have come all the way to explain our stand, what we have been facing, and also, it is very important for this delegation to be here in Russia. Russia has always been a very important strategic partner for India. We feel it is very important to reach out to Russia to explain our position and also to seek their support at this very crucial moment when we have lost 26 innocent lives in the Pahalgam terror attack”, as per news agency PTI.

She highlighted the growing threat of terrorism and the need for international unity, stating, “This is not the first time. Many times in the past, our civilians and military bases have been attacked. India has always reached out for peace, and our leaders, including the present Prime Minister, have made sincere efforts. But we have not been able to achieve that because of Pakistan’s continued support to terrorism.”

Kanimozhi also addressed narratives surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, accusing it of using this as a tool of blackmail. “There is a lot of misinformation which is being spread and also a narrative that Pakistan is a nuclear power has been repeated many times… We just wanted to clarify what the truth was and what actually happened. We also wanted to specifically give a message that India refuses to be blackmailed by the threat of nuclear weapons. We will fight for our integrity and stand as one against terror attacks… India stands for peace.”

In an interaction with ANI, Kanimozhi further added, “We even met the former Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Fradkov, who heads the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies. We met thinkers and lawmakers in Russia. This all-party delegation sent by the Indian government has met people from various political parties and ideologies in Russia and we have explained our stand in detail about what happened before, during, and after the Pahalgam attack. We’ve also sought Russia’s understanding and its support to India in fighting terrorism… Terrorism is an issue which is faced by the world and not just India. No country should be harbouring and supporting terrorists.”

RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta, who is part of the delegation, echoed similar sentiments. “Terrorism is not only a problem for India. The whole world is suffering. Russians have also suffered very badly… Everybody has to come together to stop this provocation of terrorist activities that is happening from Pakistan. Any terrorist activity in the world, directly or indirectly, has some connection to Pakistan. They have imposed four wars and hundreds of terror attacks on us,” he said.

Kanimozhi-Led Delegation Meets Mikhail Fradkov, Russian Senators

According to a post by the Indian Embassy in Russia on X (formerly Twitter), the delegation held a “fruitful interaction” with Mikhail Fradkov and also met the First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, Andrey Denisov, along with other Russian senators. The discussions focused on strengthening strategic cooperation and tackling global terrorism.

India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, also briefed the MPs on India-Russia relations earlier in the day. The all-party delegation includes SP MP Rajeev Rai, BJP MP Captain Brijesh Chowta (Retd), RJD MP Prem Chand Gupta, AAP MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, and former Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri.

The visit is part of a multi-nation outreach under “Operation Sindoor”, aimed at presenting India’s unified and resolute stand on terrorism. The delegation is set to travel next to Slovenia, Greece, Latvia, and Spain.